One of the most luxurious and specialist birthing centres in the city will remain closed until the end of February.

Health bosses announced the disappointing news about Cossham birth centre this evening. The hospital trust said a shortage of midwives and new Government rules meant the unit had to be closed to keep expectant mums safe.

North Bristol Trust, which runs both hospitals, said an unprecedented' number of women required inductions because of new legislation that has just come into force.

A general view of Cossham Hospital in Bristol. (Image: Dan Regan)

The trust has eight vacant midwife roles and have created a further new 16 roles to cope with the increase in mums-to-be requiring inductions.

Because of this temporary closure, all women due to give birth at Cossham Birth Centre over the period will be formally notified. All calls to Cossham Birth Centre from women in labour are being diverted to Southmead Hospital's midwife-led unit.

Home birth services will continue to be available on a case by case basis. All community antenatal and postnatal clinics at Cossham are unaffected and running as normal.

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Interim Director of Nursing at NBT, Helen Blanchard, said the trust was 'absolutely committed to reopening the centre as soon as they can.

However the unit's future now hangs on more midwives being recruited to the trust.

She said: “Recent national changes to the way the NHS cares for women with identified risks during pregnancy have increased demand for complex and specialist care.

“To ensure we can run the safest maternity service possible, we have taken the difficult decision to extend the temporary closure of Cossham Birth Centre until the additional midwives we are recruiting are in place.

“However, if enough staff can start earlier, the date to reopen Cossham Birth Centre will be brought forward.

“We recognise that any changes to a woman’s pre-planned maternity care, and the choice they have made about where to have their baby, can be disappointing.

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“However, our absolute priority must be the overall safety of all women and babies in our care.”

Lauren Pinkett who gave birth to her three children at Cossham has started a petition to save the 'cherished' unit.

Lauren Pinkett with her three children

She said: ""It is a truly special place to be cared for during labour and birth, with one-to-one care from a team of unique and woman centred staff.

"I have friends who wish to birth here in the next few months. It’s sad to think that they may miss their chance."

What changes have been brought in?

Due to the introduction of new national maternity policy to reduce stillbirths , North Bristol NHS Trust’s obstetric services have been extremely busy in recent months. Like many other maternity units across the country, this policy has led to a significant increase in women being medically induced, requiring more complex and specialist care.

Is it still safe to give birth at Southmead Hospital?

North Bristol NHS Trust has an average of 6,300 births a year, which includes approximately 350 births at Cossham Birth Centre and approximately 700 births at Mendip Birth Centre at Southmead Hospital.

To ease the pressure, on 1 October six more maternity beds were opened at our Southmead site.

The hospital is currently in the process of recruiting additional midwives, including filling current vacancies, which will lead to a total increase in our permanent midwifery workforce of more than 24 full time midwives.

North Bristol NHS Trust has among the best neonatal outcomes in the country.